Raj Thackeray vs North Indians

As non-bailable warrants were issued against Raj Thackeray for making hate speeches against North Indians,we look at instances when he clashed with them..

1. Branding Biharis as infiltrators, 2012

Reacting to a media report that a youth from Bihar had vandalised the martyr's memorial during the Azad Maidan protest, Thackeray had remarked,"Every day 48 trains come to Maharashtra from UP, Bihar and Jharkhand. Who are these people, Where do they go? Then you will blame police for not being to control the crime in the state.''

2. Attacks on Auto Drivers, 2011

MNS workers assaulted auto drivers and damaged their vehicles in Mumbai and Thane.The police arrested 12 of them and booked them for assault, illegal gathering, rioting and criminal intimidation. It’s a known fact that most of the auto drivers in Mumbai are North Indian immigrants.

3. Comments on Chhath Puja, 2008

Raj verbally attacked North Indian leaders for politicizing Chhath Puja, Bihar’s popular festival. He termed the festival a "drama" and a "show of numerical strength". Calling it a political gimmick by some parties to attract the north Indian vote,he demanded that they only celebrate Maharashtra day and not UP day in Maharashtra.

4. Attacking the Bachchans, 2008

At the Music launch of her film Drona, Jaya Bachchan said.'Hum UP ke log hain, isliye Hindi mein baat karenge, Maharashtra ke log Maaf Kijiye'. An offended Raj said Jaya had no business alluding to all the people of Maharashtra in that statement. He threatened to ban all Bachchan films unless Jaya apologised in a public forum.MNS workers began to attack theatres screening The Last Lear starring Amitabh Bachchan.It was only after Amitabh tendered an apology that the screening resumed.

5. Andolan against UP & Biharis, 2008

Raj Thackeray led an andolan against the migrants from the North Indian states of Uttar Pr.adesh and Bihar in Maharashtra.At a rally in Shivaji Park, Raj warned that if the North Indians continued with their dadagiri, he would be compelled to make them leave Mumbai.Raj was arrested along but later released on paying a penalty of Rs 15,000.